L 289/56
EN
Official Journal of the European Union
31.10.2013
COMMISSION REGULATION (EU) No 1067/2013
of 30 October 2013
amending Regulation (EC) No 1881/2006 as regards maximum levels of the contaminants dioxins,
dioxin-like PCBs and non-dioxin-like PCBs in liver of terrestrial animals
(Text with EEA relevance)
THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION,
(4) The
Panel
concluded
that
regular
consumption
of
sheep
liver would result on average in an approximate 20 %
increase of the background exposure to dioxins and
dioxin-like PCBs. On individual occasions, consumption
Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European
of sheep liver could result in high intakes exceeding the
Union,
tolerable weekly intake (TWI) of those contaminants. The
Panel concluded that the frequent consumption of sheep
liver, particularly by women of child-bearing age and
children, may be a potential health concern.
Having regard to Council Regulation (EEC) No 315/93 of
8 February 1993 laying down Community procedures for
contaminants in food ( 1 ), and in particular Article 2(3) thereof,
(5) The
Panel
further
concluded
that
soil
and
sediments
are
natural reservoirs of dioxins and PCBs. Soil-to-plant
transfer of dioxins and PCBs via the root apparatus is
Whereas:
generally of minor importance. In the past few years a
number of sheep liver samples from various European
countries were found to contain high concentrations of
dioxins and PCBs although not being associated with
(1) Commission
Regulation
(EC)
No
1881/2006 of
specific contamination sources. For sheep, grazing
19 December 2006 setting maximum levels for certain
activity is a primary factor for exposure. When grazing,
contaminants in foodstuffs (
intake of soil can occur through particles deposited on

2 ) sets maximum levels for
dioxins and dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs)
vegetables or directly when feeding on pasture herbage
in a range of foodstuffs, including in the liver of certain
close to ground surface. Soil intake is remarkably variable
terrestrial animals.
and strongly seasonal: a median soil intake has been
reported in the order of 8 % of dry matter intake. On
the whole, soil intake might contribute substantially to
sheep’s exposure to dioxins and PCBs. Limited data are
available concerning the transfer of dioxins and/or PCBs
(2) The
Scientific
Panel
on
Contaminants
in
the
Food
Chain
from feed to sheep liver. Depending on the polychlor
(The Panel) of the European Food Safety Authority
inated dibenzo-p-dioxin (PCDD), polychlorinated diben
(EFSA) has, on a request from the Commission,
zofuran (PCDF) or PCB congeners considered, reported
adopted on 5 July 2011 an opinion on the risk to
transfer ratios varied from 5 to 175 and were approxi
public health related to the presence of high levels of
mately four times higher for liver than for meat or
dioxins and dioxin-like PCBs in liver from sheep and
kidney.
deer ( 3 ).
(3) The
Commission
requested
that
the
opinion
should (6) EFSA
concluded
also
that
sheep
liver
is
an
important
indicate whether there is a potential increase in
storage organ of dioxins and PCBs. The differences in
consumer health risk for subgroups of the population
metabolism could partly explain the relatively high liver
consuming such products (e.g. high consumers, people
storage of dioxins and related compounds in sheep
following specific diets, etc.). The opinion should also
compared to cattle.
explore possible reasons for the findings of high levels
of dioxins and PCBs in sheep and deer liver, and to
provide scientific elements on the appropriateness to
establish in future regulatory levels in liver on a
product basis rather than on a fat basis.
(7) EFSA
concluded
that
even
if
there
would
be
a
possible
hepatic sequestration and the dioxins and PCBs would
( 1 ) OJ L 37, 13.2.1993, p. 1.
not be totally associated with the fat fraction of the
( 2 ) OJ L 364, 20.12.2006, p. 5.
liver, this would have no influence on the result,
( 3 ) EFSA Panel on Contaminants in the Food Chain (Contam); Scientific
whether expressed on lipid or fresh weight basis, as all
Opinion on the risk to public health related to the presence of
dioxins and PCBs are extracted during the analytical
high levels of dioxins and dioxin-like PCBs in liver from sheep
and deer. EFSA Journal 2011; 9(7):2297. [71 pp.] doi:10.2903/
procedure irrespective of the liver compartment where
j.efsa.2011.2297. Available online: www.efsa.europa.eu/efsajournal
they are present.

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EN
31.10.2013 Official
Journal
of
the
European
Union L
289/57
(8) The
European
Union
Reference
Laboratory
(EURL)
for
‘5.2 Liver
of
terrestrial
0,30 pg/g 0,50 pg/g 3,0 ng/g
dioxins and PCBs in Feed and Food was requested by
animals referred to in wet
wet
wet weight
the Commission to investigate how different extraction
5.1 with the exception weight
weight
methods influence the levels of dioxins and PCBs in
of sheep and derived
sheep liver with regard to reporting the analytical result
products thereof
on fat or wet weight basis. The EURL concluded that the
variations for concentrations of dioxins and PCBs were
Liver of sheep and
1,25 pg/g 2,00 pg/g 3,0 ng/g
derived products
wet
wet
wet
considerably higher on fat basis compared to wet weight
thereof
weight
weight
weight’
basis. The concentrations of dioxins and PCBs on fat
basis in sheep liver were dependant on the applied
extraction method or solvents and therefore on the
resulting fat content. When comparing results on wet
Article 2
weight, the levels of dioxins and PCBs were quite
Transitional provisions
comparable.
1. This
Regulation
shall
not
apply
to
products
which
were
(9) Therefore
in
order
to
ensure
comparable
results
and
an placed on the market at a date prior to 1 January 2014 in
uniform enforcement approach across the Union as
conformity with the provisions applicable at such date.
regards dioxins and PCBs in liver of terrestrial animals,
it is appropriate to establish the maximum levels on a
wet weight basis as was already established for fish liver
and derived products thereof.
2. The
burden
of
proving
when
the
products
were
placed
on
(10) It
is
appropriate
to
provide
that
the
maximum
levels
are
the market shall be borne by the food business operator.
not applicable to foodstuffs which are lawfully placed on
the market before the date of application.
(11) The
measures
provided
for
in
this
Regulation
are
in
Article 3
accordance with the opinion of the Standing
Committee on the Food Chain and Animal Health,
Entry into force and application
HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION:
This Regulation shall enter into force on the twentieth day
following that of its publication in the Official Journal of the
Article 1
European Union.
Amending provisions
In the Annex to Regulation (EC) No 1881/2006, point 5.2 is
replaced by the following:
It shall apply from 1 January 2014.
This Regulation shall be binding in its entirety and directly applicable in all Member States.
Done at Brussels, 30 October 2013.
For the Commission
The President
José Manuel BARROSO

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Document Outline

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